Shopping in cities – it’s the parking, stupid!

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Sometimes it takes an expert to state the obvious to get those in power to take notice. This morning retail guru Mary Portas did just that by mentioning parking charges as one of the main reasons why many of us no longer use the high street. It’s … [Read more...]

Vincent Tabak – the murderer next door

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The utterances of Vincent Tabak during his recent trial for the murder of Joanna Yeates have, at times, made me want to throw something at the radio or TV each time I heard his thoughts broadcast. The man took no responsibility whatsoever for what … [Read more...]

Tuition fees – they’re a great idea? Aren’t they?

Facing the future - to pay or not to pay? for university.

Today was a proud day for me - my beautiful step-daughter embraced the spotlight and appeared on BBC1 in the West presenting a film about tuition fees. In a short film for regional current affairs programme Inside Out West, she talked about the … [Read more...]

Bristol’s gorillas are up for sale? Want one?

Gorillas with style......

In the south west tonight there's a little fundraising event going on in Bristol -  gorillas are being auctioned off. Price tag - up to £10,000 each.  What? I hear you exclaim. Yes, this is one of several very successful 'stunts' that this … [Read more...]

WHAT ABOUT THE RIOTS?

Police worry about some children who are out of control

Watching the news tonight and I listened to the mum of 13-year-old boy justifying why her son went to the riots with a hammer strapped to his leg. He wasn't rioting, but he was there. The hammer was for his own protection. She was lamenting the … [Read more...]

Safe cycling in the city

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News that Bristol City Council is encouraging schemes to help children play out in their local street is heartening. It seems that the Council are going to make it easier to temporarily close a road to all but residents cars by reworking the … [Read more...]